In this episode of the Travel Buddy podcast, presented by Switchfly, hosts Ian Andersen and Rachel Satow examine how generational shifts are redefining travel loyalty. Through a mix of industry data and personal perspective, they focus on what Gen Z and millennials value in rewards, what skepticism persists, and which trends will shape the future of travel experiences.

Key Highlights

• Generational shift: Hosts share that Gen Z and millennials are projected to drive over 50% of U.S. leisure trips by summer 2030, with Gen Z alone expected to spend $450 billion globally on travel.
• Experiences first: Younger generations consistently value memorable trips over material possessions, reshaping value propositions in travel.
• Sustainability as baseline: Gen Z expects sustainability as standard—while millennials remain more cautious, often questioning the sincerity of brand sustainability claims
• AI-powered personalization: AI enables loyalty programs to deliver highly personalized offers and seamless digital experiences, AI delivers proactive, personalized recommendations.
• Demand for instant rewards: Gen Z prefers immediate, easy-to-understand perks and “daily earning” opportunities, looking to models like Starbucks Rewards for simplicity.
• Flexibility and transparency: Unpredictable program changes breed skepticism. Younger travelers seek loyalty programs with straightforward earning, flexible redemptions, and low commitment.